Date of Award

6-17-2024

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation - Restricted (NYMC/Touro only) Access

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Health

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

DR. Kenneth A. Knapp

Second Advisor

Dr. Elizabeth Drugge

Third Advisor

Dr. Adam Block

Abstract

Enormous efforts have been made to manage the spread and consequences of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) through the creation of vaccines. Despite the availability of vaccines, the vaccination rate against COVID-19 for children remains low. Since parents play a major role in deciding whether to vaccinate their children, focusing on parental factors, such as the parents’ vaccination status, this study addresses a critical gap in comprehending the dynamics of children’s vaccination uptake. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data from 2021-2021 were analyzed. The sample had 5,433 respondents from the United States. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to examine whether parental factors including parents' vaccination status influence their children's vaccination uptake. Results: The final logistic regression model showed that the odds of a child being vaccinated against Covid were 25 times greater if a parent was vaccinated as well as the odds were lower by 20% if a parent had previously tested positive for Covid; both were statistically significant (p-value < 0.001). Findings also revealed that children who received the Covid vaccine had statistically significant greater odds of having older ( ≥ 40), college-educated, high-income, and married parents. Hispanic or other non-Hispanic parents were more inclined to vaccinate their children compared to White non-Hispanic parents. Parents’ availability of health coverage and the presence of chronic health conditions were found to be not statistically significant.

Download

Available for download on Friday, December 29, 2034

Share

COinS